Cited by 137Memory and Neural MechanismsMemory Processes and InfluencesNeural and Behavioral Psychology Studies

Working memory and fear conditioning

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Carter, Ronald McKell, Hofstötter, Constanze, Tsuchiya, Naotsugu, Koch, Christof·2003·Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Abstract

Previous studies of associative learning implicate higher-level cognitive processes in some forms of classical conditioning. An ongoing debate is concerned with the extent to which attention and awareness are necessary for trace but not delay eye-blink conditioning [Clark, R. E. & Squire, L. R. (1998) Science 280, 77–81; Lovibond, P. F. & Shanks, D. (2002) J. Exp. Psychol. Anim. Behav. Processes 28, 38–42]. In trace conditioning, a short interval is interposed between the termination of the conditioned stimulus (CS) and the onset of the unconditioned stimulus (US). In delay conditioning, the CS and US overlap. We here investigate the extent to which human classical fear conditioning depends on working memory. Subjects had to carry out an n -back task, requiring tracking an item 1 or 2 back in a sequentially presented list of numbers, while simultaneously being tested for their ability to associate auditory cues with shocks under a variety of conditions (single-cue versus differential; delay versus trace; no task versus 0-, 1-, and 2-back). Differential delay conditioning proved to be more resilient than differential trace conditioning but does show a reduction due to task interference similar in slope to that found in trace conditioning. Explicit knowledge of the stimulus contingency facilitates but does not guarantee trace conditioning. Only the single-cue delay protocol shows conditioning during the more difficult working memory task. Our findings suggest that the larger the cognitive demands on the system, the less likely conditioning occurs. A postexperimental questionnaire showed a positive correlation between conditioning and awareness for differential trace conditioning extinction.

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Authors
Carter, R. M., Hofstötter, C., Tsuchiya, N., & Koch, C.
Affiliations
  • California Institute of Technology (US)
  • Divisions of Biology and Engineering and Applied Sciences, California Institute of Technology, Pasadena, CA 91125; and Institute of Neuroinformatics, University/Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule, 8057 Zürich, Switzerland
Venue
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences
Published
2003-01-27
Volume
100
Issue
3
Pages
1399-1404
ISSN
  • 0027-8424 (ISSN-L)
  • 1091-6490
OpenAlex
W2043192509
Cited by
134
References
46
Citations by year
2026: 4 · 2025: 2 · 2024: 3 · 2023: 6 · 2022: 5 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 4 · 2019: 7 · 2018: 7 · 2017: 2 · 2016: 10 · 2015: 5 · 2014: 5 · 2013: 10 · 2012: 4
FWCI
3.58
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • CaltechAUTHORS (California Institute of Technology) (submittedVersion)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory Processes and Influences
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Neural and Behavioral Psychology Studies
Keywords
working memory, fear conditioning, trace conditioning, delay conditioning, n-back task, attention, awareness, associative learning, task interference, extinction, differential conditioning, cognitive demand
MeSH terms
Adolescent, Adult, Conditioning, Classical, Electroshock, Fear, Habituation, Psychophysiologic, Humans, Learning, Memory, Skin Physiological Phenomena, Reflex, Startle, Time Factors

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